How many original Black Sabbath members are still alive? What we know as bandmates pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Black Sabbath members mourn the loss of rock icon and lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. The singer's family announced his passing in a statement shared on Instagram on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

While details surrounding Osbourne's death have not been made public, Osbourne had been battling Parkinson's disease in the last few years. The statement noted he died surrounded by love, writing:

"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ozzy Osbourne (@ozzyosbourne)

Osbourne, alongside Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, formed Black Sabbath (then called Polka Tulk Blues Band) in the late 1960s in Birmingham, England. Known for songs exploring darker themes and music, it is hailed as one of the most influential heavy metal bands. Many believe the group's groundbreaking releases like Paranoid helped define the musical genre.

By early 1984, save Iommi, the group's original members had left (Osbourne was booted due to his substance abuse), and the lineup has undergone several changes since. Of the original four, Ozzy is the only one that passed away.

"Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother"—Black Sabbath guitarist Toni Iommi about Ozzy's passing

As news of Ozzy Osbourne's death made headlines, his Black Sabbath bandmates have shared tributes to their friend. Drummer Bill Ward took to Instagram to share a throwback photo with the singer with an emotional message, writing:

"Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🕊⬛️Bill Ward Official⬛️🕊 (@billwarddrummer)

Ward continued to offer his condolences to Ozzy's wife, Sharon, and his family. He continued:

"Never goodbye. Thank you forever."

According to Remind Magazine, earlier this year Ward announced he would work on an internet-only radio program as part of the LA Radio sessions.

Meanwhile, Tony Iommi, who played the guitar for the group, expressed his shock at the "heartbreaking news." Noting that they had lost a "brother," he stated that there would "never be another like him." He added:

"I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words."

Iommi was referencing the Back to the Beginning show held earlier this month at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham (very close to the place Black Sabbath was formed). The concert was a farewell for the band and Ozzy Osbourne, who performed while seated due to his Parkinson's. It also marked the first time since 2005 that the original lineup performed together.

Despite the band's numerous breakups and reformations, Tony remained with the group throughout. Following the aforementioned Aston concert, he told Blabbermouth he was working on his solo album.

Geezer Butler, for his part, too, penned a touching tribute. Sharing pictures from their final performance together, he wrote:

"Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston."

Butler announced he's retired in 2023, after releasing his memoir, Into the Void, titled after the beloved Black Sabbath song.

Meanwhile, the band's official page on Instagram uploaded another picture of Osbourne taken during the Villa Park concert with the caption, "Ozzy forever." Last week, the band shared a picture of the original members taken 54 years apart.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Black Sabbath (@blacksabbath)

Following Black Sabbath's split in the early 1980s, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, and Ozzy Osbourne reunited in 1997, releasing their live album, Reunion, a year later. They toured together sporadically until 2005, before going on hiatus. The original quartet reunited again for a couple of concerts between 2011 and 2017 and the Back to the Beginning farewell show.

Ozbourne is survived by his wife, Sharon, and six children.